Mixed emotions really. You used to be able to do this and the rules were changed. So it looks like its just changing back. However given the amount of money on offer in France you would have to wonder could this result in France fielding a side where there are very few French players in it?

"POC will not be going to Toulon" - All Blacks nil » May 27th, 2015, 12:18 am

handy for you guys , bet half the aussie and plenty of the kiwis have irish heritage somewhere along the line. You could even pick up guys who have already been capped now, bet the scots would benefit from it as well

Somewhat moot from an Irish perspective as there isn't an Ireland mens 7s team and I'm not aware of any plans to create one although I suppose in theory it could happen with the women's team.

It is also probably moot for the Scottish and Welsh teams. The Team GB 7s team for the Olympics won't be a "best of" team from England, Scotland and Wales. The highest qualifying team from those 3 countries will be nominated by the British Olympic Association to represent GB and for Rio 2016, that will be England.

The 4 home unions have already agreed that IRFU registered player will represent Ireland, not Team GB, although this is really applicable for the womens team.

mikerob wrote:Somewhat moot from an Irish perspective as there isn't an Ireland mens 7s team and I'm not aware of any plans to create one although I suppose in theory it could happen with the women's team.

It is also probably moot for the Scottish and Welsh teams. The Team GB 7s team for the Olympics won't be a "best of" team from England, Scotland and Wales. The highest qualifying team from those 3 countries will be nominated by the British Olympic Association to represent GB and for Rio 2016, that will be England.

The 4 home unions have already agreed that IRFU registered player will represent Ireland, not Team GB, although this is really applicable for the womens team.

It's not restricted to sevens though, it's for all aspects of the game.

mikerob wrote:Somewhat moot from an Irish perspective as there isn't an Ireland mens 7s team and I'm not aware of any plans to create one although I suppose in theory it could happen with the women's team.

It is also probably moot for the Scottish and Welsh teams. The Team GB 7s team for the Olympics won't be a "best of" team from England, Scotland and Wales. The highest qualifying team from those 3 countries will be nominated by the British Olympic Association to represent GB and for Rio 2016, that will be England.

The 4 home unions have already agreed that IRFU registered player will represent Ireland, not Team GB, although this is really applicable for the womens team.

It's not restricted to sevens though, it's for all aspects of the game.

James O'Connor and pat mccabe must have irish heritage!

AFAIK to switch you must be selected for an eligible 7s team taking part in an event for Olympic qualification and as Ireland don't have a mens 7s team on the circuit, this makes it a moot point. Also, it needs to be at least 18 months after the player last played for another country so that would rule out O'Connor until 2016. I think the 18 months is increasing to 2 years for the 2020 Olympics. Once a player has switched, they can also play 15s.

You could see some countries maybe gaming the system by giving a former international a token 7s cap so they could play 15s but I can't see it being a big number.

"Former All Blacks Anthony Tuitavake, Sam Tuitupou and ex-Wallabies Mark Gerrard and Sitaleki Timani will lodge an application to play for Tonga under Regulation 8 in the IRB Handbook.

Former All Blacks Sevens representatives Alando Soakai, Lifeimi Mafi and Roy Kinikinilau are also on board for the Ikale Tahi while Tim Nanai-Williams has confirmed his intentions to play for Manu Samoa.

Sources close to World Cup-winning All Black Isaia Toeava confirm he has been in contact with Samoan rugby officials but he declined to comment when contacted by ONE News.

Tonga Rugby Union chairman Epi Taione said the revamped laws are being welcomed throughout the Pacific and expects more prominent players to switch their allegiance in the coming weeks.

He says a "hit list" has been put together with Wallabies great George Smith, whose mother is Tongan, a major target along with Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna and former Australia A and Waratahs first-five Daniel Halangahu.

"So far it's been very positive from every single player so we're quite chuffed about the response we've had so far," said Taione.

Tuitavake, who plays for Montpellier in the French Top 14, said the changes are a hot topic among former internationals now playing in lucrative club competitions in Europe and Japan.

"Since hearing about this loophole that the IRB has made, us ex-New Zealand players that are playing abroad are very keen to switch," he said.

Other former All Blacks who could make the switch include Casey Laulala, Chris Masoe, Lelia Masaga and Mose Tuiali'i who are of Samoan heritage while cousins Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu were born in Fiji."

so looks like Tonga could be a lot stronger but theyd have to beat Argentina to face us in QF be great seeing a prop playing 7s tooI'd expect Samoa to recruit/re recruit heavily and make a QF too

IMO it is fair enough considering traditional plundering of the islands

When he spreads his legs like that youd need dynamite or the Highland Light Infantry to shift him.

simonokeeffe wrote:IMO it is fair enough considering traditional plundering of the islands

Is this not a bit of a red herring? Given Auckland is (AFAIK) the biggest Polynesian city in the world and Oz has similarly big communities. Take Nacsewa, he was a Kiwi of Fijian heritage rather than the other way round.

simonokeeffe wrote:IMO it is fair enough considering traditional plundering of the islands

Is this not a bit of a red herring? Given Auckland is (AFAIK) the biggest Polynesian city in the world and Oz has similarly big communities. Take Nacsewa, he was a Kiwi of Fijian heritage rather than the other way round.

its overplayed in one regard due to Polynesian concepts of nationality, hundreds of islands making up a country, players wanting to increase their earnings etc, Samoa generally have highest number of overseas born players in RWC squads but small/poorer countries should be allowed take advantage of their diaspora (much like us)

on other side you have

NZ 7's capping/tying all and sundry, NZ schools wholescale farming the islands, Sivivatu gets capped after he plays an international against NZ, Australia capping guys to bind them to Aus (Moore and Samo 2 biggest recent examples), residency laws screw them over a bit too, European clubs leaning on them not to play internationals, Brive setting up an academy in Fiji

When he spreads his legs like that youd need dynamite or the Highland Light Infantry to shift him.